So, you’re getting
bored with the same old one color covering scheme and want to try
something different? Well how about some nice free-hand flames? Come on,
give it a try! It’s easy, fun and will draw ooh’s and aah’s from
all your flying field buddies!
Let’s begin.
Step #1-
Whatever you’re going to flame, go ahead and cover the part with your
base color. Shrink it like you normally would and then clean all your
fingerprints off of it. I won’t go into “regular” covering,
because if you got this far in the thread you know all about it!
Here’s my part, a vertical stabilizer for the Tiny X covered in black
SoLite. Photographs really great, doesn’t it? Sorry, black is tough.
You’ll be able to see what’s going on in the later pics though.
Step #2-
Cut a piece of SoLite to the approximate size of the part you’re
flaming. I always leave plenty of extra because I usually tear up the
edge getting it separated from the backing. For now we’re going to cut
the flames with the backing intact, so don’t remove the backing.
You can just barely see it, but I have traced the outline of the stab
onto the yellow SoLite. I then lightly traced the flame that I’m going
to cut out.
Step #3-
Time to do some cuttin’! I’m left-handed and like to cut from right
to left. If you’re a righty, you’ll likely want to do the opposite.
I start at the top and make the cut in one sweeping move from right to
left while holding the right edge down with my right hand. I use a fresh
blade and move slowly, but deliberately. If you mess up it’s not the
end of the world, just start over on a fresh sheet. Free hand cutting
almost assures you won’t get it right every time, so don’t sweat it.
After completing the top cut, I move down to the inside curve of the
flame and make my next cut in the same manner as the above. Don’t kill
yourself trying to stay on the line, just make your cuts smooth and
flowing and you should be fine. Be careful to taper the point of the
flame.
Keep working downward from side to side to complete the cutting. Notice
how I left extra on the right side. That allows me a place to remove the
backing, plus it gives me something to hold onto for positioning.
Step #4-
Remove part of the backing as shown. I know it’s kind of hard to see,
but the backing is peeled from left to right and stops just past the
inside curve of the flame. DO NOT remove the backing from the thin part
of the flames yet.
Step #5-
This is the fun part! Lay the flame in place and use your finger to rub
it down. Work out towards the flame tips removing the covering as you
go. I cut the backing so that each tip has a separate piece of backing,
it makes it easier to lay the thin tips out.
Step #6-
Iron it down! Wrap the overlapping edge to the other side, trim it and
iron it down too. You will use that overlapping edge to line up your
flame on the other side if you’re doing a vertical stab like this one.
|
|
A
special side note to married modelers
Your wife may come looking for you about
now since it’s been several minutes without contact. She will
likely start saying a lot of stuff you don’t really care to
hear, but bear with it, try and make some eye contact and insert
these lines as appropriate:
- I would love to wash the dishes, just give me a few minutes to
finish this up.
- I think you did the right thing telling her that. (This one
works great! You don’t even need to know what the story is
about!)
- No, that box on the porch was a mistaken delivery. I took it
to the neighbors.
- I love you! (Just throw this in for good measure, it’s great
for extra credit)
This technique is called “empathizing”. Don’t judge or
offer advise, that’ll get you nowhere. Just agree with
everything your wife says with nods and stuff. Eventually
she’ll leave feeling smug and you’ll buy yourself enough
time to make some serious headway. |
Step #7-
We’re done, right? Not so fast buster! You need to give that flame
some more pizzazz!
Cut a piece of contrasting color SoLite. This time we’re going to be
cutting small pieces, so go ahead and remove the backing. Put the piece
adhesive side down on one of Martin’s flat, flat, flat (no bumps, got
it?) glass pieces, or use a cutting pad if you live in a house full of
useless bumpy glass cutting boards like me. Draw your pattern on the
piece if you prefer, then cut away!
Use the tip of your Exacto to lift the piece up. Leave it on your Exacto
and position it with the Exacto, then rub it down with your fingertip.
Step #8-
Freehand cut some licks, and use your Exacto to lift them and place them
over the flame. Iron it all down and carry it in to show your wife.
After enduring some of her eye rolling, take a pic of it and post it on
E Zone where people will really appreciate your effort!
That’s it! Repeat the above until your plane is completely covered
with flames!
Side note- be careful about what colors you pick as SoLite is very
translucent. Colors have a tendency to blend (even the opaque colors).
If you put red over yellow, you’ll end up with orange. You can use
heavier, more opaque covering like Monocote, but it’ll add some
weight.
Most important rule of all---- have FUN!!
PS- I'll post a pic of my fully flamed Tiny X once I finish it.
|
|
The Completed Tiny X
-
Available at |
|
|
|
Tres Wright |
